Gregoire's staffing selections have prolonged a trend that runs contrary to her vow to make diversity one of the chief initiatives of her administration. Minorities now account for more than one-quarter of Washington state residents, but Gregoire's entire senior staff is white and her cabinet of 26 has only two people of another race.

Oregon is losing ground on three key measures of child welfare, according to the 2011 Kids Count Data Book. Released last week by the national child welfare nonprofit the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Data Book profiles each state using 10 standard benchmarks.

Boise and Eliot neighbors gathered at Self Enhancement Inc., Aug. 11, to discuss gangs, violence and neighborhood safety. What they heard from the Mayor, police, outreach workers and ministers led many to commit to uniting with Portland's Black community to help struggling youth and families. 

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Health officials think they'll be able to prove deer droppings in a strawberry field caused an E. coli outbreak that killed one person and sickened 14 others.

Rappers, dancers, African drummers, jazz, soul and Gospel music are just a few of the reasons to visit this year's PROPER Festival, from noon to 4 pm, Aug. 27, at North Portland's Kenton Park.  In its 20^th year, the festival  brings people together, to share delicious food, fun, entertainment and  live, face-to-face social networking, across social and cultural lines. 

East Portland, or 'The Numbers,'  is home to one-quarter of the city's residents. But this fast-growing area is also poorer and has fewer resources than other parts of the city. So what's being done to level the playing field for this multicultural area? Find out Aug. 25 at the Second Annual Equity Ride.

Three Democrats and a Republican are the first to say they will run to represent Oregon's House District One in Washington DC. Incumbent, Rep. David Wu resigned Wednesday Aug. 3, after allegations of making unwanted advances to the daughter of one of his donors. It was the final straw after a string of disclosures alleging misuse of pain medications and detailing bizarre texts to his staffers, that led to multiple staff resignations. The primary election will be held Nov. 8, with the general election set for Jan. 31.
 

Now that Mayor Sam Adams says won't be running for a second term, candidates are lining up to succeed him. The Skanner News asked Charlie Hales, Eileen Brady and Max Brumm which challenges they would prioritize if elected mayor.

A weeks-long dust up over the process of deciding the future of traffic on North Williams Avenue has brought a widened citizens' advisory committee and a public forum on the issue.